Withered Flowers

Chapter 21

The sound of steady beeps from the heart monitor filled the room. It had been a week since Y/N had fallen into a coma, and each day had felt longer than the last. Hawks sat in the chair beside her bed, his hands clutching hers, his thumb tracing the veins along her wrist. Every rise and fall of her chest reminded him of the battle she'd fought—the battle she'd won for everyone except herself.

Megumi sat on his lap, his little hands clinging to Hawks's coat as he dozed off, his soft breathing barely audible over the machines. Mirko stood by the window, her arms crossed as she silently watched the sun dip behind the hospital, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. It felt like the world was healing while everything inside this room was shattering.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and in stepped the Director of Tartarus, his cold gaze landing on Y/N. Hawks tensed instantly, his instincts telling him nothing good would come from this visit.

"She's still unconscious," the director said, his voice as clinical as ever. "But should she wake up... she'll be transported back to Tartarus immediately."

Hawks's grip on Y/N's hand tightened. "What? You can't do that!" he growled, the words barely restrained as he tried not to wake Megumi.

The director's gaze was unfeeling. "She's dangerous, Hawks. She may have saved the city, but she also endangered it. The destruction and chaos she caused are undeniable."

"She sacrificed herself to stop the disease!" Hawks stood up, carefully shifting Megumi into Mirko's arms. His wings bristled with agitation. "She saved everyone, and this is how you repay her?"

Mirko stepped forward, her eyes sharp. "You're seriously going to lock her up after everything?"

The director didn't flinch. "It's not my decision. It's the law. And you know as well as I do that if she wakes, the Commission will demand her detainment. There's too much risk involved with someone like her."

Before Hawks could argue further, the door opened once more, revealing a familiar figure— the president of the Hero Commission. Her expression was stern, her eyes calculating as she strode into the room, standing beside the Tartarus director. "Hawks," she began, her voice carrying a heavy weight of authority, "we need to talk about your position as a hero and your future with the Commission."

Hawks felt a sinking pit in his stomach. "What are you talking about?"

"Y/N's actions have complicated things. Publicly, she's viewed as a villain. The media is already asking questions about your connection to her," she said, glancing at Mirko and Megumi before turning her full attention back to Hawks. "And then there's the matter of Megumi..."

Hawks's heart clenched. He instinctively moved closer to his son, his protective instincts flaring. "Megumi has nothing to do with this."

"That's where you're wrong," the president said calmly. "We've run tests. Megumi is a full living being, but he's not registered as such. Legally, he's... no one's child. Which means, with the right amount of paperwork, money, and influence, he could be placed with a more suitable family."

Hawks felt like the ground beneath him was crumbling. He stared at her, disbelief, rage, and fear swirling inside him. "You're telling me you want to take Megumi away from me? From us?"

The president's expression softened, but only slightly. "You have until next week to say your goodbyes. After that, we'll be placing him with a family that can offer him a better future."

"A better future?" Hawks's voice cracked as he looked at the child in his arms. Megumi, the boy who had called him 'Papa' with such joy, was now being torn away because of bureaucratic decisions.